L.A.'s entertainment industry records fewer jobs in May

A behind-the-scenes look at filming around the world for television and movies as seen from the streets.

Richard Verrier

Hollywood's job market dimmed last month.

After three consecutive months of year-over-year job gains, the entertainment industry posted a nearly 4% decline in jobs in May, state employment figures show.

The motion picture and sound recording category -- which includes those working at the major studios, post-production houses and on film crews - accounted for 112,100 wage and salary jobs in May, down from 116,500 jobs a year earlier and 128,500 jobs in April.

The figures are subject to revision and do not count those who work as freelancers or independent contractors.

The 16,700-job drop reflects seasonal employment patterns, with most of the scripted network television shows on hiatus. Studios including Walt Disney and DreamWorks Animation also have laid off hundreds of workers this year in an effort to cut costs.

Even so, average employment for the first five months is 3.3% higher than the same period a year ago, according to job figures compiled by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. Location shoots for film, television and commercial production is up nearly 14% this year.

"It’s not clear at this point if the larger-than-usual monthly decline and the unexpectedly large yearly decline are a sign of emerging weakness in the local industry,'' Robert Kleinhenz said in a statement.